Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

And she gave birth to her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

Christmas is over, and the magi have come and gone.

Even so, it is my hope that Daily Devotion readers will forgive me for going back to Christmas 2010 just for one more time.

You see a report from the Culture and Media Institute has just come out with some interesting statistics. From October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2010 the Institute monitored the major TV networks -- you know ABC, CBS and NBC.

They found that of all the stories that spoke about Christmas, only 1.3 percent of those stories had any mention of God.

Those networks and their shows spoke about the weather, the economy, travel, and the "in" gift that everybody wants. They spoke about anything and everything, but they didn't speak about the religious reason for the holy day.

It's like making fruit cake without fruit or cake; it's like making a Thanksgiving turkey without a gobbler; it's like, well, you get the idea.

This pretty much goes to prove what you suspected all along: after 2,000-plus years the world still doesn't have room for the Savior who is still God's Good-News gift of great joy to lost humankind.

So, those are the facts. The question is this: what will we Christians do about it?

Might I suggest you don't have to wait until next Christmas to take action? It's true. In the next few months we will be celebrating the greatest festival of the church year: the resurrection of the victorious Savior.

The TV will be filled with bunnies and eggs and spring and little will be said about the Christ who gave His life for our salvation. In regard to that great day would you mind if I enlisted you in doing something special? Won't you, when that Sunday rolls around, greet each other with the traditional salutation of the church?

Would you say to those you meet, "Christ is risen!" And if someone says that to you, would you reply, "He is risen, indeed!" If you do, you'll be taking a great step forward in keeping Christ in Easter.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, the world has never wanted to make room for You or wished to acknowledge Your work. That is why, we, Your people, pray You will make us different. Help us point the lost to You and all You have done to save us. In Your Name, I ask it. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Job 5-7    Matthew 8:18-34

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